Top Bush ethics lawyer: Russia could have blackmail on Sessions, and he must resign

[bigheadfred]

 President George W. Bush's top ethics lawyer told Business Insider on Thursday that while it was "debatable" whether Attorney General Jeff Sessions perjured himself during his Senate confirmation hearing, he must resign.

Richard Painter, a professor at the University of Minnesota Law School who was the chief White House ethics lawyer from 2005 to 2007, added the latest Russia-related White House firestorm could leave Sessions open to the risk of "blackmailing."

"The thing with Sessions is that the Russians almost certainly have a recording of these conversations or detailed notes about the conversations," he said.

Painter continued: "And so, they've got something over Sessions. Sessions will be asked what was said in these conversations. And if that doesn't match what the Russians have in their records ... then they've got him, and they have this over him for the rest of his term. We have no idea of knowing whether we're in that situation, but it's just way too high a risk."

With what is now known about Sessions' conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, Painter said he doesn't think the attorney general "could effectively run that department." 

http://www.businessinsider.com/bush-ethics-lawyer-painter-jeff-sessions-perjury-resign-2017-3

[dfwgator]

Oh, whatever.

This is a big bag of nothing.

[bigheadfred]

Oh, whatever.

This is a big bag of nothing.

It's a bug hunt.

[American Faith Today]

I don't think Trump and Russia is a "big bag of nothing" and if he were a Democrat or Hillary, or Obama, probably no one here would either.

However, I tend to think Sessions isn't compromised and didn't do anything out of line.

But that's just my opinion.  There's so little truth in media or government these days, I could even be wrong on that.

[don-o]

Release the transcripts.

Get real about how American and Russian interests align.

[dfwgator]

And monkeys COULD fly out of my butt.

[don-o]

I don't think Trump and Russia is a "big bag of nothing" and if he were a Democrat or Hillary, or Obama, probably no one here would either.

However, I tend to think Sessions isn't compromised and didn't do anything out of line.

But that's just my opinion.  There's so little truth in media or government these days, I could even be wrong on that.

What is the real root of all this Russophobia? Are we still haunted by Khrushchev banging his shoe at the UN?

[MajorClay]

I call BS

[Bigun]

It's quite clear that the dims are going all in on it!

[INVAR]

As if we needed any more evidence of the fact that the GOP and the Democrats are a uniparty Oligarchy.

[Idaho_Cowboy]

These folks are going to lose their shirts. They don't have any cards, we know they don't have any cards, and Trump and Session know the liberals don't have the cards. Yet they keep upping the ante. Deuce high ain't going to win this one. I suggest the Republicans begin calling the democrat tactics McCarthyism.

[Bigun]

These folks are going to lose their shirts. They don't have any cards, we know they don't have any cards, and Trump and Session know the liberals don't have the cards. Yet they keep upping the ante. Deuce high ain't going to win this one. I suggest the Republicans begin calling the democrat tactics McCarthyism.

I'm thinking that the hammer will come down HARD soon!  Could be wrong but I have a feeling I'm not!

[DCPatriot]

These folks are going to lose their shirts. They don't have any cards, we know they don't have any cards, and Trump and Session know the liberals don't have the cards. Yet they keep upping the ante. Deuce high ain't going to win this one. I suggest the Republicans begin calling the democrat tactics McCarthyism.

Not so sure I agree with you, here.

1)  The Democrats feel that TRUMP 'squeezed' every possible vote out of the electorate.   There are no more voters out there that support him.   He's maxed out.

2)  OTOH, they feel that, with the help of the perverted media complex, a constant drum beat of scandal and calls for resignations...and as of late, even incarceration for Sessions, for example...will tap into the 'MILLIONS' of liberals that stayed home because they thought their vote wasn't necessary for Hillary to win the White House.

IOW....like the Japanese Admiral warned after their successful attack on Pearl Harbor...Donald Trump (media) has awakened a "Sleeping Giant", for 2018 and beyond.

[Emjay]

President George W. Bush's top ethics lawyer told Business Insider on Thursday that while it was "debatable" whether Attorney General Jeff Sessions perjured himself during his Senate confirmation hearing, he must resign.

Richard Painter, a professor at the University of Minnesota Law School who was the chief White House ethics lawyer from 2005 to 2007, added the latest Russia-related White House firestorm could leave Sessions open to the risk of "blackmailing."

"The thing with Sessions is that the Russians almost certainly have a recording of these conversations or detailed notes about the conversations," he said.

Painter continued: "And so, they've got something over Sessions. Sessions will be asked what was said in these conversations. And if that doesn't match what the Russians have in their records ... then they've got him, and they have this over him for the rest of his term. We have no idea of knowing whether we're in that situation, but it's just way too high a risk."

With what is now known about Sessions' conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, Painter said he doesn't think the attorney general "could effectively run that department." 

http://www.businessinsider.com/bush-ethics-lawyer-painter-jeff-sessions-perjury-resign-2017-3

You lost me at 'professor' and White House ethics lawyer.

[Taxcontrol]

Russia COULD have blackmail material on anyone.

[Hondo69]

You lost me at 'professor' and White House ethics lawyer.

 

I smell an Ivy League rat.

[Jazzhead]

What is the real root of all this Russophobia?

Good question.  I agree with Trump - it would be a good thing to have better relations with Russia.   It may give us more leverage to address more immediate threats, like Iran.   

[INVAR]

Russia COULD have blackmail material on anyone.

So do the Clinton's and the Obama's.

FBI files anyone?

Not withstanding the ones Sandy (Burgler) Berger stuffed into his pants at the behest of Hillary and William Jefferson.

[Emjay]

So do the Clinton's and the Obama's.

FBI files anyone?

Not withstanding the ones Sandy (Burgler) Berger stuffed into his pants at the behest of Hillary and William Jefferson.

Oh, my gosh.  That was such a fun event.  I guess it came to nothing but if Sandy is still alive, maybe we could dig it up to counter their next attack.

[DCPatriot]

Oh, my gosh.  That was such a fun event.  I guess it came to nothing but if Sandy is still alive, maybe we could dig it up to counter their next attack.

He died years ago, IIRC.

[Emjay]

Never mind.  He's dead.  So many people were willing to corrupt themselves and sell their souls for the Clinton's.

[SZonian]

Bush and many in his administration have already outed themselves as NWO types...I should give this guy any credence why?

[bigheadfred]

Putin has to be LOL his butt off at the stupid Americans.

[driftdiver]

Good question.  I agree with Trump - it would be a good thing to have better relations with Russia.   It may give us more leverage to address more immediate threats, like Iran.

@Jazzhead @don-o

It really has nothing to do with Russia.  In this case Russia is just a convenient boogy man being used to play on peoples fears.  Bush is establishment and a globalist.   Trump appears to be a threat to those two elements which is why we see Bush speaking up for the first time in 8 years.

[bigheadfred]

@Jazzhead @don-o

It really has nothing to do with Russia.  In this case Russia is just a convenient boogy man being used to play on peoples fears.  Bush is establishment and a globalist.   Trump appears to be a threat to those two elements which is why we see Bush speaking up for the first time in 8 years.

I agree completely.